I am a grandchild of the Great Depression and a survivor of more recent recessions. Through my grandparents and parents, I've learned to spend wisely and to save while still being able to live life well. I want to share my discoveries with you and hear yours. Read more about this blog.

Yesterday I talked about complaining. A lady that I met on a plane showed me it’s even better to compliment.

Complaining got me a free meal at a fast-food restaurant. Complimenting got her a free trip to New York City.

While flying from Erie to Detroit earlier this year, I sat next to Jeanne Nyberg, who told me about her 1997 trip to New York. She got it after using Pepcid AC for a bout of indigestion at a family event. She was so grateful for the relief that she wrote to the company, praising them for their product.

After receiving her letter, the company chose Nyberg to be in a national print Pepcid advertisement. They flew her and a friend to New York and put them up in a hotel for two nights. She also was given some money and some of the clothes from her photo shoot.